![[Sinn Fein]](http://www.sinnfein.org/graphics/title_gifs/sf.gif)
6 September 1996
Adams calls for ``decisive political talks process''
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams speaking in Belfast this morning urged ``calm, restraint and discipline at this difficult time''.
Mr. Adams called for the British government to follow an ``equality ethos and to implement an equality led agenda to create the conditions for a credible talks process.
``If the peace process is to be restored we need a clear decisive political talks process whose primary objective is a negotiated settlement. That means inclusive dialogue, with no preconditions and structured within a realistic time-frame.''
Mr. Adams said:
``The summer months have been a difficult time. We are still dealing with the political consequences of Drumcree. Those events have not yet been resolved to the satisfaction of the nationalist people. The British government and the Unionist parties can't expect a ``business as usual'' approach to the current situation.
``Drumcree, and the British government cave-in to the threats of the Unionist leaderships, starkly highlighted the inequalities in this society. ``British policy in the talks at Stormont reflects this inequality. What the situation demands is for the British government to follow an equality ethos and implement an equality led agenda to create the conditions for a credible talks process.
``The talks process recommences on Monday. Sinn Fein is excluded from this despite our electoral mandate. The reality, of course, is that our exclusion and the flawed manner in which the process has been structured by the two governments, as well as the approach of the British government and of the Unionist leaderships, has ensured that this is not a peace process.
``On the contrary instead of generating hope and optimism the Stormont talks have reduced hope and undermined confidence further.
``No-one, not the politicians participating in the talks, not the media covering these talks, not the public watching it, nor the two governments, have any confidence in its ability to make any progress, never mind produce a negotiated settlement. On the contrary many see it as deeply divisive.
``If the peace process is to be restored we need a clear decisive political talks process whose primary objective is a negotiated settlement. That means inclusive dialogue, with no pre-conditions and structured within a realistic time-frame. It also means the British government actively seeking to build confidence.
``Of course, each week brings its own controversies. This week it was the DUP MP Willie McCrea at Portadown. His attendance was a disgrace and many people were rightly outraged. Many will remember that it was the DUP which established Ulster Resistance and I have not yet heard Mr. McCrea say that he has resigned from that organisation. More importantly however, I have to ask what is the difference between Willie McCrea's conduct at Portadown and the conduct of David Trimble at Drumcree.'' Mr. Adams commented on the controversy surrounding an allegation that catholic residents in some areas are boycotting businesses owned by Orange Order members involved in the Drumcree events.
Mr. Adams said:
``The boycott tactic has a long and honourable tradition in Irish life. It is an entirely legitimate, peaceful and democratic tactic. However, anyone organising or participating in a boycott has to be very careful.
``Sinn Fein is opposed to any boycott campaign which is sectarian based or is directed broadly against protestant or unionist businesses. It is understandable that catholic communities which suffered as a consequence of the mass intimidation tactics of the Unionist and Orange leaderships around Drumcree, would decide not to give their custom to businesses owned or run by members of the Orange Order identified as playing a role in those events, until there is an agreement based on the principle of equality of treatment.
``This boycott issue, like so many others, is a symptom of wider problems. Clearly, it would be preferable if we could all sit down around the table and find an accommodation which puts all of these matters behind us.''
Concluding Mr. Adams said:
``At this time we are still in a very volatile situation. I would appeal for people to remain calm, restrained and disciplined in the time ahead. This is particularly true for those areas like North Belfast, where loyalist groups and some unionist politicians have been engaged in orchestrating a campaign of attacks against the nationalist community and in Dunloy on Sunday where there is an Orange parade.''
Sinn Fein Press Office, 44 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Tel: +353-1-8726100 and +353-1-8726839 · Fax +353-1-8733074
E-mail: sinnfein@irlnet.com · Website: http://www.sinnfein.orgReleased in the US by:
Friends of Sinn Fein, 510 C Street, NE, Washington DC 20002
Tel: +1-202-547-8883 · Fax +1-202-547-7889
E-mail: fosf@nicom.com · Website: http://www.sinnfein.org
Web publication by rm@serve.com
Sinn Fein · Sinn Fein Documents
Web archival by iig@www.utexas.edu